If you're cramped for space, you may be tempted to forgo a headboard. But a headboard serves as an anchor for your bed. It can define the space in a one-room studio apartment. And a tall, sleek headboard draws the eye up, adding depth to a small space. Headboards are this week's inspiration.

First let me say that for most rooms with space limitations, a queen bed will fit nicely. It measures 80 inches long and 60 inches wide. That's only 6 inches wider, and 5 inches longer than a full sized bed. I suggest a minimum of 18" of space on either side of the bed - if it will be floating in the center of the room. You'll end up with even more space to work with, if the bed is pushed into a corner. So if you can squeeze a queen sized bed into your small space, by all means do so. I promise you'll thank yourself later.

Now that we've gotten that part out of the way, let's look at some ways to use headboards in our living spaces. These can serve as:

a room divider

a frame around a bed in a small room

artwork

banquet seating

As a Room Divider
Notice the clever use of a two-tiered bookcase in this long narrow room (below) that measures only 9 feet wide by 16 feet long (2.8 meters wide by 5 meters long). This headboard accomplishes several things: 1) it provides some much needed storage, 2) it creates two rooms in one space, and 3) it creates an entryway for shoes and coats. Who knows, there may actually be a small desk in the space on the other side of the bookcase/headboard. Hmm...I like that.

If you like this option, simply use two bookcases of varying widths/heights, and stack one on top of the other. But be sure to use L-brackets or some other hardware to secure them in place. Place the back of the bottom bookcase towards the bed to create a solid "headboard". Or, you can simply purchase this modified version here.

Create an Upholstered Frame Around a Bed
What if you've got a bit more space to work with, but you still live in a studio apartment? Perhaps you don't want to break up the space, but at the same time, when guests come over, you don't want them to feel as if they're having cocktails in your bedroom. Then what? The next two photos are, technically speaking, open bedrooms, but it don't feel like traditional bedroom spaces.

To achieve this look simply upholster two pieces of plywood, cut to size, and butt them together at the corner. An upholstered headboard can be made in about 2 hours. Click here for the tutorial on how to do it. If building things is really not your jam, check out the options below, which can be used to create this look. Just keep in mind you'll need two of them to complete the project.

Function Imitates Art
What if you live in a place that prohibits you from hanging artwork? Or worse, what if - like me - you live in an old house with plaster walls that have absolutely NO STUDS between them? This next photo made me do a happy dance. Can you see this in a small guest room, or even a dorm room?

This is definitely a custom headboard. But you can duplicate the look by going with a king size headboard, and then adding upholstered headboard tiles like these on the sides to fill in the extra space.

Banquet Seating
The next time you're in a fancy restaurant with banquet seating, be sure to take a closer look at the construction. Technically, the back of the booth seat is just a headboard. How does this translate to a home? Notice how the same idea used above for the bed, can be modified and used around a seating arrangement in the photo below.

And there you have it! Four refreshing ways to use headboards in your home. Are there any other ways that you've used cool headboards in your space? Please share it with me in the comments below.

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Really love the upholstered corner headboard. My daughter and I live in an apartment where space is hard to find and this would be perfect for her daybed!

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Ola

12/6/2016 12:37:06 pm

Well, of course I say give it a try! Let me know how it works out for you Corey. Thanks for visiting.

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Tara L

12/6/2016 11:20:42 am

Oh I cannot stand headboards. Nothing against them but they have to be a certain kind for me. I bump my head sometimes or can't seem to get comfy with something near my head. Not sure why I'm like that but I am very hardheaded when it comes to those types of things. I swear!

Reply

Ola

12/6/2016 12:35:22 pm

That's definitely a unique situation Tara. LOL! You may want to opt for a headboard decal instead like this one: http://amzn.to/2hedLfs, or this one: http://amzn.to/2gZqejT. Thanks for visiting.

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val

12/6/2016 01:16:04 pm

I love the corner headboards! They would be great for a kid's room. Great roundup!

Wow these are such great ideas! I wouldn't have even thought to set it up like this, but really smart.
I have a bed frame that comes with a headboard, but if I didn't, these would be the way I'd want to set it up!

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Amrita Basu

5/9/2017 12:26:21 pm

Loved all the headboard ideas.I found the two bookcase ideas besst.Super cool .You have vivid imagination.

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Bonjour!

Welcome to "my place". I'm Ola, a self-confessed décor addict and DIY think-tank. I love working with small spaces. Please make yourself comfortable, and let's get to know one another better.